Bears Head to Chicago for First-Ever Meeting with Loyola in MVC Matchup

League lead at stake as Bears take on Ramblers in Chicago on Saturday

Kelsey Goff converted a penalty kick on Friday, the first at home for the Bears since 2008

Oct. 3, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Missouri State women's soccer team (4-7-1, 1-0-0) looks to stay atop the league standings with a visit to Loyola University Chicago (4-4-4, 1-0-0) on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. It will be the Bears' first-ever visit to Chicago and initial league matchup with the Ramblers.

"Our stock is rising," said head coach Rob Brewer. "We are getting better play from some key positions. It is a little uncomfortable knowing that you have to travel to a new stadium, new city. But I have a little sympathy for Loyola as they are facing a whole new league of opponents. All we are trying to do is move this program forward."

Missouri State is coming off its biggest offensive output of the season in a 3-1 win over UNI to open league play last Friday. Kelsey Goff, Molly Brewer and Molly Huber each tallied goals in the win. Senior Shelby Stewart registered her first career multi-assist match as she assisted on Brewer's and Huber's goals. Goff scored on a penalty kick, the first awarded to the Bears at home since October 31, 2008 against Indiana State.

Stewart leads the Bears with eight points (3 G, 2A) and is tied for 10th in the league in that category. Huber tops the Bears with four assists, tied for fourth in the MVC, and is close behind with six points on the season.

The Bears are undefeated in the last three matches (2-0-1) and are 4-2-1 since Sept. 6 with three of the wins coming via shutout. MSU goalkeeper Jessica Perry has seen the lion-share of playing time and brings a 1.14 goals against average into Saturday's match. Among regular keepers, Perry is second in the league in GAA.

Winning the conference opener has been a sign of good times for the Bears. In the eight previous seasons in which the Bears won the conference opener, seven times they have gone .500 or better in league play.

Following the match at Loyola, the Bears travel to Evansville next Saturday (Oct. 12) for a 3:00 p.m. match before returning home on Friday, October 18 to take on Drake.